Writing skills practice: A more formal email – exercises

Look at the exam question and email and do the exercises to practise and improve your writing skills.

Preparation
Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. You should use polite expressions and more formal grammatical structures. True False
2. You don't have to include all the points mentioned in the question. True False
3. You can use contractions in a formal email. True False
You should avoid using conventional expressions for starting and finishing
4. True False
the email.
5. You should use this style for a person you don't know. True False
 Writing skills practice: A more formal email – exercises

1. Check your writing: gap fill – indirect questions

Rewrite the direct questions as indirect questions.

1. When does the course start? Could you tell me …………………………………………

2. Do I need to do a level test? Please let me know ………………………………………

3. How much does the course cost? Would you mind telling me ………………………………

4. Do you have native teachers? Could you tell me …………………………………………

I would be grateful if you could tell me

5. When do your courses begin?
…………………………………………………….

I would like to know if ……………………………………

6. Is the accommodation near the school?
…………………………………………………….

Could you tell me ………………………………………..

7. How many students are in each class?
…………………………………………………….

8. Which book will we use? Would you mind telling me ………………………………

2. Check your writing: gap fill – useful phrases

Write a word to fill the gaps and complete the email.

1
_______________ Mr Cotton,

I am interested 2_______________ studying at your language school and I am writing

3
_______________ request further information about your courses.

Please could you tell me 4_______________ there are still places available on the
summer courses? I 5_______________ also like to know how much a three-week course
6
_______________. Finally, I would be 7_______________ if you could send me details
of the accommodation that is available.

I look 8_______________ to 9_______________ from you.

Yours 10_______________,

Amit Khan

Discussion

Would you like to study in a different country?